Computer Interpretation Help
Message boards :
Number crunching :
Computer Interpretation Help
Message board moderation
| Author | Message |
|---|---|
 MattDavis  Send message Joined: 11 Nov 99 Posts: 919 Credit: 934,161 RAC: 0 
|
I recently installed BOINC and Predictor on two work computers: a 2.66 P4 and a 3.4 P4. I would think that the second one would be much faster, but look at the benchmarks: http://predictor.scripps.edu/show_host_detail.php?hostid=255540 http://predictor.scripps.edu/show_host_detail.php?hostid=255542 Why are they the same? I picked Predictor because it has the shortest units. ----- 
ID: 349299 ·  |
|
Alinator Send message Joined: 19 Apr 05 Posts: 4178 Credit: 4,647,982 RAC: 0
|
Maybe the 3.4 was busy during the last benchmark? I've had mine vary a ton between BM's depending on what was going on at the time. Alinator ID: 349301 · |
|
MattDavis Send message Joined: 11 Nov 99 Posts: 919 Credit: 934,161 RAC: 0
|
The fan on the 3.4 P4 comes on REALLY loud when BOINC is running. Is that a really bad sign? -----
ID: 349303 · |
|
Alinator Send message Joined: 19 Apr 05 Posts: 4178 Credit: 4,647,982 RAC: 0
|
The fan on the 3.4 P4 comes on REALLY loud when BOINC is running. LOL, OK Matt I'll play along.... Yep, if burning up the P4 is the goal! :-) Alinator ID: 349307 · |
|
MattDavis Send message Joined: 11 Nov 99 Posts: 919 Credit: 934,161 RAC: 0
|
It wasn't a joke :\\ I know crunching makes the computer hotter. However, my work computer went from silent to WOOOOSHHHHH air with BOINC. I didn't know if that's normal for a fast computer like a 3.4 P4 of if I should take BOINC off before it explodes! -----
ID: 349308 · |
|
Alinator Send message Joined: 19 Apr 05 Posts: 4178 Credit: 4,647,982 RAC: 0
|
Sorry then. My experience with PAH is that it doesn't push a machine any harder than other projects, so I guess the most likely explanation is your normal work apps weren't pushing the 3.4 into full speed mode. Alinator ID: 349311 · |
|
MattDavis Send message Joined: 11 Nov 99 Posts: 919 Credit: 934,161 RAC: 0
|
I appreciate the responses. Do you have any advice on the fan issue? The 2.66 is still running cool, but this 3.4 is just very loud and hot! -----
ID: 349314 · |
Hans Dorn  Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 2262 Credit: 26,448,570 RAC: 0 
|
It wasn't a joke :\\ Improving the ventilation of your case should help here. If your case doesn't have an opening near the cpu that allows fresh air to get in, you should consider getting a better one. If your power supply has an adjustable fan, then set it to max. Regards Hans P.S: The fast P4 CPUs tend to get hot under full load. I run mine "open frame" - without case. ID: 349316 · |
KWSN - Chicken of Angnor  Send message Joined: 9 Jul 99 Posts: 1199 Credit: 6,615,780 RAC: 0 
|
Get an aftermarket fan - for example, a ThermalTake Big Typhoon (relatively cheap, sub 30 dollars, very good performance, inaudible) or anything else. This isn't supposed to be an ad, I just bought that cooler myself and am very happy with it. Just be prepared to spend a bit of time installing many aftermarket coolers, because you might have to remove your mainboard to install them. *All* of them are more efficient at cooling, and your ears don't fall off. The standard Intel cooler sounds like a turbine at full load, the other one is not even audible with an open case. So even with the case being closed, it now only gets up to 54 degrees celsius under full load for me (72 before). Regards, Simon. Donate to SETI@Home via PayPal! Optimized SETI@Home apps + Information ID: 349317 · |
|
MattDavis Send message Joined: 11 Nov 99 Posts: 919 Credit: 934,161 RAC: 0
|
I appreciate the cooling advice, but this is a work computer - my boss won't like me poking around in the case :) I think for the loud P4 I'll let the few Predictor units run out then uninstall BOINC. I would risk my own computer, but not my work's! I'll leave it on the 2.66 because that's cool and quiet. Thanks for everyone's help. -----
ID: 349318 · |
|
Alinator Send message Joined: 19 Apr 05 Posts: 4178 Credit: 4,647,982 RAC: 0
|
Well, my fastest is a 2.66 Northwood, and doesn't have the heat problems the Prescotts do. I would think the faster Intels and their motherboards are smart enough to know what they need to do to keep from self-destructing, so the only option I can think of would be to go to quieter fans for the CPU cooler and/or case. Of course checking with something like Speedfan or another diagnostic utility wouldn't be a bad idea just to make sure something else isn't going on. HTH, Alinator ID: 349319 · |
|
KWSN - Chicken of Angnor Send message Joined: 9 Jul 99 Posts: 1199 Credit: 6,615,780 RAC: 0
|
Hm, you could always convince your boss that installing better coolers in your PCs at work will make them live longer and his investment devalue less quickly...money is the only argument that convinces bosses ;o) Not to speak of the reduced noise in the workplace, more efficient, relaxed staff... *grin* All depends how you sell it to him. You have to know whether your boss has an open ear for that kind of thing ;o) Regards, Simon. Donate to SETI@Home via PayPal! Optimized SETI@Home apps + Information ID: 349324 · |
|
MattDavis Send message Joined: 11 Nov 99 Posts: 919 Credit: 934,161 RAC: 0
|
I work for my university's Special Collections department, organizing and scanning old documents and books, from the early 1700s to the late 1800s. Computers are only used for scanning and typing, and thus never get too loud since the processors aren't used much. Oh well, at least I got one computer out of the deal. -----
ID: 349327 · |
Fuzzy Hollynoodles  Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 9659 Credit: 251,998 RAC: 0 |
It wasn't a joke :\\ I only crunched a very few Predictor WU's before I detached from the project, as it killed my electronic dictionary, which I need more than they need my processor power, but as I remember them, they were not very heavy on the processor. But I have experienced the fan goes to maximum speed when I have crunched some very big molecules from Rosetta, so they are very heavy on the processor. But as long as your processor doesn't get hotter than allowed and you make sure there are enough ventilation around your computer, you should be safe. But you can install some programs to monitor the heat such as SpeedFan, so you can see how hot it gets. "I'm trying to maintain a shred of dignity in this world." - Me 
ID: 349353 · |
Misfit  Send message Joined: 21 Jun 01 Posts: 21804 Credit: 2,815,091 RAC: 0
|
Matt, The 3.4 can show lower benchmarks than the 2.66 if the 3.4 is hyperthreading and the 2.66 is not. The HT comps have 2 logical CPUs so if you really want the true benchmark just double what you see. The 3.4 benchmark is for each CPU. If your 3.4 is a Prescott it will run very hot with BOINC (the Northwood's are OK). I had to upgrade my CPU cooler to the massive Zalman CNPS9500. me@rescam.org ID: 349568 · |
cdr100560  Send message Joined: 12 May 06 Posts: 681 Credit: 65,502 RAC: 0
|
Matt, on the issue of fan speed. Does the PC sit on the floor? If it does (or has for awhile) there might be a temp diode in the fan that regulates rpm. (hotter temp/higher rpm) if this has become covered in dust, or the heatsink has (or theres just an overload of it!) it might explain the turbo fan speed. Or it may just be a normal function of the extra heat the procs putting off crunching (P4s are toasty critters-at least the Prescotts) As for the benchmark, hmmmmm. Misfits HT argument is sound (blame Misfit for the low benchmark!) unless BOINC was performing it during another process running at the same time. I've noticed mine goes up and down (though slightly) ID: 349601 · |
Diego -=Mav3rik=-  Send message Joined: 1 Jun 99 Posts: 333 Credit: 3,587,148 RAC: 0 |
If your 3.4 is a Prescott it will run very hot with BOINC (the Northwood's are OK). I had to upgrade my CPU cooler to the massive Zalman CNPS9500. My P4 3Ghz Prescott runs at 62C/143F when boinc is running. (100% on both cpus) It's not overclocked. When idle it stays between 41-43C on avg. It's winter here, but not too cold. Just to compare, I'd like to know what temp. others' run at. I'm guessing mine is too hot. Regards /Mav  We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars. (Carl Sagan) ID: 349831 · |
Dances with Werewolves  Send message Joined: 8 Nov 03 Posts: 489 Credit: 340,188 RAC: 0
|
If your 3.4 is a Prescott it will run very hot with BOINC (the Northwood's are OK). I had to upgrade my CPU cooler to the massive Zalman CNPS9500. I'm running the stock fan and heatsink that came with my boxed 3.06Ghz Prescott and your temps are the same as mine. I've had no problems as long as I keep the heatsink free of dust. I have run SETI and Flight sim and TV all at the same time with no problem as the fans just max out at 153 degrees F and CPU stays at that temp. With just SETI running 145 to 148 degrees (F). Idle it runs ~127 deg. (F). ID: 350173 · |
|
Digger Send message Joined: 4 Dec 99 Posts: 614 Credit: 21,053 RAC: 0
|
My P4 3Ghz Prescott runs at 62C/143F when boinc is running. (100% on both cpus) A Prescott is just barely getting warmed up at 62°C... I think your temps are fine. Mine goes as high as 63°C on a hot day and I've not had a single hiccup in the year and a half I've been running BOINC on it 24/7. In fact it almost seems to prefer the higher temps, although that could just be my imagination :) That Prescott would throttle itself back before it got damaged anyway. I use stock cooling only, but got annoyed at the fans kicking on hi/lo all the time so I downloaded SpeedFan. It has allowed me to set my fans to run at a more constant speed all the time and that's been keeping my temps much more even. I think it saves wear and tear on the fans as well. They still kick into high gear if the temps go above the threshhold I set but it happens infrequently, not every couple minutes like it used to. It's a great program if you know a little bit about what you are doing. Dig ID: 350184 · |
|
1mp0£173 Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 8423 Credit: 356,897 RAC: 0
|
This is OT, but does anyone have a good table that shows actual power consumption for various Intel processors? I've got a pair of Prescotts that basically aren't very busy, and if I could shed a few watts it'd make the UPSes last longer. ID: 350188 · |
©2025 University of California
SETI@home and Astropulse are funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and donations from SETI@home volunteers. AstroPulse is funded in part by the NSF through grant AST-0307956.